Tag : identity

17

Mar

2016

For those new to this series . . .

This blog journey is for leaders who desire to capitalize upon natural strengths to realize individual and organizational potential. We share insights from an upcoming book on The Foundation of Winning (FOW), the system we have developed to help clients achieve flourishing success. The FOW is composed of three Principles of Mankind and four Disciplines of Leadership. Together, they are the pillars that support the development of talent, skills, and knowledge, and enable meaningful, enduring success.

I was privileged to spend 21 years at University of Michigan Athletics, including 11 years with Football Coach Bo Schembechler, one of our nation’s most exemplary leaders. Working with Bo every day revealed there is much more to long-term success than talent. Many of the concepts that comprise the Foundation of Winning developed from my experiences with Bo, who was a natural leader.

4.0 Your Core Identity – Overview

The individuals and organizations most often mentioned as having clear and admirable identities in our Foundation of Winning (FOW) seminars include our parents, grandparents, Apple, the New England Patriots, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Lincoln. What individuals or organizations do you admire for what they stand for? Are they consistent in the message they present? Does their consistent image instill trust, even when others may challenge them? What or who are the individuals or organizations you align yourself with because they reflect your own identity and values? What if you could be that consistent foundation—a rock solid, reliable force in service of something deeply meaningful? Would people come into your life to help make your journey easier and even more meaningful?

In the next few blog posts, we will consider each of the three aspects of the Core Identity outlined below. Consider this post a jump start for those discussions…

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. – Steve Jobs

A primary goal on our journey through life is to understand and know our Core Identity, and then to honor it in our thoughts, behaviors, actions, and words. Each of us is born with a unique set of natural talents. It is through traveling life’s path that we gain insights into who we are when at our best, what we are naturally meant to do. We also learn what others can do better than us. We study and learn from our path as it reveals who we are, and has helped shape who we have become.

The Essential Components of Your Core Identity

These components build on the three Principles of Mankind discussed in our recent blog posts, and when honored they help us be our natural, flourishing best:

Purpose – That which brings energy into your life, and serves others such they are willing to reward you for your efforts. You look forward to getting out of bed to make a difference. Purpose honors these FOW Principles:

Positive Vision: The more clearly we envision our role for the day, the more likely it is to happen.

Stage III Fulfillment: Contributing to the Benefit of Others: This stage is generative, whereas Stage II Fulfillment: Comparative Fulfillment in Service of Self is satisfying in the short term, but does not last.

Boundaries: They are necessary to clarify which actions best serve your purpose; they eliminate those actions that hinder you.

Vision – The meaningful picture of a better tomorrow you; have faith it will be created as a result of a long term commitment to your Purpose. Vision honors these FOW Principles:

Positive Vision: The more vivid and deeply meaningful the legacy we desire to leave, the path to that vision shortens.

Boundaries: They clarify and define your Vision so that it is achievable.

Guiding Principles – The beliefs and values that guide your actions and decisions in service of your Purpose, in route to your Vision. Guiding Principles honor this FOW Principle:

Boundaries: They help with focus as you move toward your vision, so that you are in alignment with your deeper inner self, and it feels right.

Discovering Your Natural Path

Your life journey has built or revealed who you are when at your best. Moving forward in search of realizing personal potential requires reflection on past decision-making, and the resulting ramifications on your path through the jungle of life.

Ask yourself these questions:

What went well, and why?

What did not go well, and why?

What was it you were we both passionate and successful?

Now, at this stage in your development . . . what Purpose are you prepared for, that you can address better than anyone else in the world?

What is the purpose you feel a passion to serve, or to make the most meaningful difference? It is through this study of our journey through the jungle of life that we can reveal our Core Identity. This clarity permits a natural flow of life and honors who we are meant to be. This clarity also permits us to say “no” when a proposed action feels wrong.

This applies to organizations as well. As individuals who comprise an organization approach their individual potential, then, and only then, can the organization realize its potential.

Leadership Questions to Guide You to Greatness

Do you maintain a journal to capture your thoughts, and to discover where your energy is coming from?

What has your journey through the jungle of life shown you? What are you good at? What should you let others do?

Who are the people you admire, respect, and relate to most? What Principles, Purpose, or Vision is in them that may also be in you?

What can you do to help others see more clearly the path you are on so they may help you on your journey?